System of distribution.



No. 720,351. PATENTBD FEB. 10, 1903.

' A. S. HUBBARD.

SYSTEM OF DISTRIBUTION.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 14, 1902.

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A. S. HUBBARD.

SYSTEM OF DISTRIBUTION.

APPLIUATION FILED JAN. 14, 1902.

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ALBERT S. HUBBARD, OF GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES M.GOULD, OF BAYSIDELONG ISLAND, NEW YORK.

SYSTEM OF DISTRIBUTION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 720,351, dated February10, 1903.

Application filed January 14., 1902. Serial No. 89,715. (No model.)

T at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT S. HUBBARD, a citizen of the UnitedStates,residing at Green Wich, in the county of Fairfield and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSystems of Distribution, of which the following is aspeeification.

This invention relates to improvements in systems of distribution, andparticularly to [O a system wherein a plurality of storage batteries areconnected in parallel to a generator or charging-circuit and to aconsumptioncircuit, with a resistance or electromotiveforce reducerbetween the charging-circuit x5 and the batteries, this resistance beingso connected with the batteries and consumption-circuit that it may beincreased or decreased by the same amount to each battery simultaneouslyand that when the generator is cut out each battery feeds to the linedirectly.

According to my invention the resistance between the batteries isdivided, and a rheostatic switch is arranged to cut out resistance inboth halves of the resistance simultaneously. One advantage of this isthat a greater variation can be secured in a given movement; but theprincipal advantage is that when the dynamo is cut out and the system isrunning on batteries alone the batteries are directly connected Withoutintervening resistance, thereby tending to equalize them and givingequal delivery from each to the working circuit. In order to furtherregulate the poten- 3 5 tial in the working circuit, another resistancemay be included in the connection thereto, and this may be controlled bythe same or a diil'erent rheostatic switch.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagram of a system ofdistribution embodying my invention, showing a manuallyoperated switchfor controlling the resistance connection. Fig. 2 is a similar Viewshowing the supplementary resistance in the translating-circuitconnection and also showing duplication of theswitch on the two sides ofthe circuit. Fig. 3 shows the application of automatic controlling meansto the system.

Referring to Fig. 1, the generator is indicated at 1 and the two storagebatteries at 2 2 and the intervening divided resistance at 3 3 thestorage batteries being connected to the charging-circuit wires 4. 4 inparallel,

so that the generator is connected to battery 2 directly and to battery2 through divided resistance 3 3. Consequently the electromotive forceimpressed from the generator on the battery 2 is less than that on thebattery 2 by an amount depending on the drop in the resistance 3 3". Thetwo parts 3 3 of the divided resistance are connected, respectively, tothe charging circuit wire 4 and to the storage battery 2. Theconsumption or load circuit (indicated at 5) is connected at one side tothe generator and the common return of the batteries and on the otherside to a switch 6, whose movable part or contact is adapted to engagesuitable contacts to connect different parts of the resistance 3 3*,according to the position of said switch. The switch has a handle 7,whereby its position may be adjusted so as to maintain a desiredcondition of potential on the translating-circuit, this handle operatingthe switch in the form shown by a screw 7, working in theswitch-contact, which acts as a nut thereon. Thus if more lights areswitched into said circuit the attendant will note the fall in intensitydue to increased drop in the circuit and will move switch 6 so that itscontact will So approach the higher-potential end of resistance 3 3 Thiscauses a higher electromotive force to be delivered to the circuit 5 tomake up for increased drop.

It will be seen that the connections from dynamo 1 and battery 2 areboth made at the same end of the rheostatic switch device 6 3 3", sothat as the switch-contact 6 is moved toward that end it simultaneouslycuts out resistance from the generator connection and from the batteryconnection, thus doubling the effect. M0reover,'when the switch-contactis moved clear over it acts to cut out all the resistance in both ofthese connections, and this condition is very desirable when tho 5dynamo is disconnected in opening the main switch 10, so as to allow thesystem to run under the battery-power alone. Under such circumstances ifeither of the batteries is so fully discharged as to be of lowerpotential than the other it will receive current therefor without lossin resistance, and the two batteries will become equalized. Thedischarge into the working circuit will also be equally distributedbetween the two batteries.

In Fig. 2 the switch 6 is shown as cooperating with another rheostat orresistance 8, included in the connection of circuit 5, in such mannerthat when the switch is moved to a point of higher potential onresistance 3 the resistance of the connection to circuit 5 will bedecreased, so as to increase the regulating effect. Theresistance-switches are also here shown as duplicated on the two sidesof the circuit.

In some cases it is desirable to render the operation of theregulating'device automatic, and for this purpose I arrange the systemas shown in Fig. 3, wherein the resistanceswitches 3 3 6 8 are arrangedas in Fig. 2 as regards the general circuits; but the operating spindlesor screws 7 7 of said switches are both attached to the armature ll of acommon operating-motor, which operates the saidswitchessimultaneouslyand correspondingly. This motor is controlled by arelay 12,connected across the translating-circuit, so as to beresponsive to the electromotive force of that cir cuit at the point orplace of consumption. The armature 13 of this relay cooperates withcontacts 15 15, connected by circuits 16 16' with the motor aforesaid,the armature thereof being driven in one direction or the other,according to which of these contacts is closed. For reversing the motor eitherthe armature or the field may be reversed. I have shown a fieldreversingarrangement, the field'magnet of the motor having two coils 14: 14connected through spring-switches 17 17' with the contacts 15 15, theother side of these coils being connected by wire 18 through thearmature with the other side of the circuit. The armature 13 is undernormal conditionsof elec tromotive force held out of contact with bothcontacts 14 14 by the opposing action of magnet 12 and a spring 12. Ifthe load increases, causing voltage to drop, the spring 12- will drawthe armature 13 to contact 15, and a current impulse will pass from maincircuit 4 by wire 18 through armature 11 and fieldcoil 14, switch 17,circuit 16, contact 15, re lay-armature 13, and a Wire 19 with the otherside 4: of the main circuit. The armature 11 is then rotated by thiscurrent until it has moved the switch-contacts 6 6 sufficiently torestore the proper electromotive-force conditions on theconsumption-circuit, whereupon the armature 13 resumes its openposition. On reverse conditions an inverse action occurs. W'hen theswitch device 6 reaches either end of its path of movement, its lug 6strikes the tail 17 of one of the switches 17 17 and opens the switch,thereby preventing further operation of the motor in that direction.Transfer-switches 9 9 are shown for interchanging the connections of thebatteries 2 2 from the charging to the discharging connection.

While I prefer to divide the resistance, as

shown, it may be sufficient for some purposes to put all the resistanceon one side of the circuit, the place of the other part of theresistance being taken by a plain contact-bar, so that when the switchis over to one side, so as to cut out all the resistance, the batterieswill be left in direct connection without interposed resistance.

WVhile I have illustrated my system as be ing equipped with only twostorage batteries, it will be apparent that any convenient number ofstorage batteries may be used, the resistances from each being connectedto the consumption-circuit in the same way as in the system shown.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as newtherein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A system of electrical distribution comprising a plurality of storagebatteries, a generator and a consumption-circuit, a divided resistancebetween the batteries and the consumption-circuit, a switch devicevariably connecting the consumption-circuit to the said resistance so asto regulate the electromotive force in said circuit, said dividedresistance and switch device being adapted and arranged to vary theresistance in the connection from the consumption-circuit to each of thebatteries simultaneously and in like manner.

2. A system of distribution comprising a charging-circuit, two storagebatteries connected thereto in parallel, a consumption-circuit and arheostatic device comprising a divided resistance interposed between oneof said batteries and said charging-circuit, and a switch devicecooperating with both parts of the divided resistance and varying theamount of resistance included on each side simultaneously and in likemanner.

A system of distribution comprising a charging-circuit, two storagebatteries connected thereto in parallel, a consumption-circuit, adivided resistance connected between the batteries and a switch devicecooperating with both parts of said resistance varying the amount ofresistance included in both parts simultaneously and in like manner, andconnecting the consu m ption-circuit with variable points of suchresistance, and an adjustable resistance in the connection to saidconsumption-circuit.

4. A system of distribution comprising a charging-circuit, two storagebatteries connected thereto in parallel, a divided resistance includedbetween the charging-circuit and one of said storage batteries, aconsumption-circuit and a resistance in the connection to said circuit,and an adjustable rheostatic switch device cooperating with all of saidresistances to vary the point of connection of the consumption-circuitto the first-named resistance and to vary the amount of resistance fromthis point of connection to the con- .sumptioncircuit, the connectionfrom the charging-circuit and from this battery to the 'IZO two parts ofthe divided resistance being made at the same end of the rheostaticswitch device whereby the resistance is varied simultaneonsly and inlike manner in such two parts.

5. A system of distribution comprising a charging-circuit, two storagebatteries connected thereto in parallel, a divided resistance interposedbetween one of said storage batteries and the charging-circuit, one partof said resistance being connected to the charging-circuit and the otherpart to said battery, a consumption-circuit, and a switch devicecooperating with both parts of said resistance to simultaneously andsimilarly vary the amount of both parts of said resistance included incircuit.

6. A system of distribution comprising a charging-circuit, two storagebatteries, a divided resistance interposed between one of said batteriesand the charging-circuit, one part of said resistance being connected tothe charging-circuit and the other part to said battery, aconsumption-circuit, a switch device variably connecting theconsumptioncircuit to said resistance, and adapted to simultaneously andsimilarly vary the amount of both parts of said resistance included incircuit, and an electromagnetic means responsive to the electromotiveforce of the consumption-circuit and controlling the operation of saidswitch device.

7. A system of distribution comprising a charging-circuit, two storagebatteries, a divided resistance interposed between one of said batteriesand the charging-circuit, a consumption-circuit, a switch devicevariably connecting the consumption-circuit to said resistance andadapted to simultaneously and similarly vary the amount of both parts ofsaid resistance included in circuit, an electric motor operating saidswitch device, and an electromagnetic means responsive to theelectromotive force of the consumption-circuit and controlling theoperation of said motor.

8. A system of distribution comprising a charging-circuit, two storagebatteries, a divided resistance interposed between one of said batteriesand the charging-circuit, a consumption-circuit, a switch devicevariably connecting the consumption-circuit to said resistance,andadapted to simultaneouslyand similarly vary the amount of both parts ofsaid resistance included in circuit, an electric motor operating saidswitch device, and an electromagnetic means responsive to theelectromotive force of the consumption-circuit and controlling theoperation of said motor, said electromagnetic means consisting of arelay connected to the consumption-circuit, and circuits controlled bysaid relay to operate said motor in opposite directions, andcircuit-breaking switches in said circuits operated by said switchdevice to open the operating-circuit when the switch device reacheseither end of its travel.

9. A system of distribution comprising a leave the batteries connectedwithout intermediate resistance, and a resistance in theconsumption-circuit connected to and controlled by said rheostaticdevice, simultaneously with and in similar manner to the control of theresistance in the battery connection.

10. A system of electrical distribution comprising a generator, aplurality of storage batteries and a consumption-circuit, a resistanceinterposed between the consumption-circuit and the storage batteries,said resistance being divided into branches with a branch for eachstorage battery, an adjustable switch device for said resistancecontrolling the resistance between the consumption-circuit and each ofsaid batteries simultaneously and in like manner.

11. A system of electrical distribution comprising a generator, aplurality of storage batteries, and a consumption-circuit, a cut-out todisconnect the dynamo from the circuit, a separate resistance interposedbetween the consumption-circuit and each of the storage batteries, anadjustable switch device varying each of said separate resistancessimultaneously to the same degree and in like manner, said resistancesand switch device so arranged that when the switch is in thehighestpotential position the several storage batteries are connectedtogether without intervening resistance.

12. A system of electrical distribution comprising a charging-circuit, aplurality of storage batteries, a consumption-circuit, and duplicateresistances, one of said resistances at the feed end of theconsumption-circuit and the other at the return end of said circuit,each of said resistances being divided with a separate branch to eachstorage battery, an adjustable switch for each of said duplicateresistances to control the branches thereof simultaneously and in likemanner.

13. A systemof electrical distribution comprising a charging-circuit, aplurality of storage batteries, a consumption-circuit, and duplicateresistances, one of said resistances at the feed end of theconsumption-circuit and the other at the return end of said circuit,each of said resistances being divided with a separate branch to eachstorage battery, a switch device responsive to the electromotive forceof the consumption-circuit to control each of said duplicate resistancesand the branches thereof simultaneously and in like manner.

14. A system of electrical distribution comprising a charging-circuit, aplurality of storage batteries, a consumption-circuit, and duplicateresistances, one of said resistances at the feed end of theconsumption-circuit and the other at the return end of said circuit,each of said resistances being divided with a separate branch to eachstorage battery, a switch device controlling each of said duplicateresistances and the branches thereof simultaneously and in like manner,and a motor responsive to the electromotive force of theconsumption-circuit to operate said switch device.

15. A system of electrical distribution comprising a charging-circuit,two storage batteries and a consumption-circuit, a resistance betweeneach battery and the consumptioncircuit, a switch device controllingsaid resistances simultaneously and in like manner, and aninterchangeable switch for the storage batteries to connect eitherbattery with the charging-circuit or the consumption-circuit.

16. Asysteln of electrical distribution comprising a charging-circuit,two storage batteries and a consumption-circuit, a resistance betweeneach battery and the consumptioncircuit, a switch device controllingsaid resistances simultaneously and in like manner, means responsive tothe electroinotive force of the consumption-circuit to control saidswitch, and an interchangeable switch for the storage batteries toconnect either battery with the charging-circuit or theconsumptioncircuit.

17. A system of electrical distribution comprising a charging-circuit,two storage batteries and a consumption-circuit, duplicate resistancesbetween each pole of the batteries and the consumption-circuit, a switchdevice controlling said resistances simultaneously and in like manner,and an interchangeable switch for the storage batteries to connecteither battery with the charging-circuit or the consumption-circuit.

18. A system of electrical distribution comprising a charging-circuit,two storage batteries and a consumption-circuit, duplicate resistancesbetween each pole of the batteries and the consumption-circuit, a switchdevice controlling said resistances simultaneously and in like manner,means responsive to the electromotive force of the consumption-circuitto control said switch, and an interchangeable switch for thestorage-batteries to connect either battery with the charging circuit orthe consumption-circuit.

ALBERT S. HUBBARD.

Witnesses:

J OSEPH J. SCHMIDT, ARTHUR P. KNIGHT.

